Raymond Andrew Rawley, 84, passed away at The Sussman House on the Penbay Campus in Rockport on July 3, 2016. Ray was born on May 8, 1932 in Camden, ME to Alfred and Francis (Berry) Rawley.

Ray grew up in St. George and the midcoast area. He attended and graduated from the Newport Jubilee Bible College and went on to build a church in Camden that he pastured for a few years.

In 1957 he met the love of his life and married Viola May Noyes. This past June 1st they celebrated 59 years together.

Throughout his years, he worked at Pinkham’s Garage, cut wood, dug clams, worked on cars, was the Floor Foreman at the Button Factory and in 1969 became business partners with Eddie Noyes and formed Noyes/Rawley Body Shop. He retired in 2002.

He loved country music and in 1979 formed the family band: “The Country Wranglers” with his wife Viola, brother David and sister-in-law Marie, son Tim and his wife Lynn and son Tom and a great pianist, Retha Dutton. Over the next five years they traveled throughout the State of Maine as well as New England. They were members of the Downeast Country Music Association and received many awards at their annual award shows. The best part was getting to meet so many wonderful fans which they kept in touch with right up until the present.

After being on the road playing, Ray still didn’t get enough, so he started having Country Sundays in his barn once a month. Folks would come from as far away as East Wilton, Farmington and Northport and of course throughout the midcoast area. Many musicians would stop by to play on any given Sunday. Regulars such as Fred Thompson, Larry Griffin and Bing Crosby would always be accompanied by guitar players, fiddlers and drummers. A large group would come just to listen to the old time country favorites.

That led to him joining up with the Fellowship of Campers who would gather at many different campgrounds throughout the State. The highlight of camping was gathering around the campfire on Saturday night to sing and play those old country songs.

He also sang a few times with the “Hosanna”, a gospel group in which Tim, Tom and Lynn were members. In 2006, Ray along with Viola rededicated their lives to God and became members of the Waldoboro Word of Life Church.

Ray was predeceased by his parents, Alfred and Francis Rawley, his brother Ivan Rawley, sister-in-law Sharon Rawley, brother-in-law Richard Ralph, niece Beverly and half brother Alfred Rawley and half sister Ginny Coffin.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Viola; sons Timothy Rawley and his wife Lynn of Washington, Thomas Rawley and his wife Barbara, Daniel Rawley and his wife Alicia of Waldoboro; grandsons, Kevin Rawley and his friend Brianna, Jacob Rawley of Waldoboro; granddaughters, Michelle Rawley and her partner Charles Salas of Albuquerque, NM, Karen Bowman and her husband Tony of Waldoboro, Amy Rife and her husband James of Jefferson, Amanda Diaz and her husband Nate of Waldoboro; great grandchildren Miles, Lex, Carver, Eva, Samantha, Levi, Charlie and Thomas Felix; sisters, Florence Ralph of Warren, Dot Means and her husband Charlie from Winslow; brothers Richard and his wife Connie, David and his wife Marie of Waldoboro, many nieces and nephews, close friend Arthur Simmons and special pet “Max” the dog!

There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at The Church of the Nazarene, 3008 Washington Road (Rt. 220), North Waldoboro.

Hall’s of Waldoboro has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, light a candle in Ray’s memory, or to share a story or picture, please visit his Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.